Heating System Maintenance in San Antonio & Elmendorf, TX

Annual Maintenance Checklist Explained

Comprehensive heating maintenance includes heat exchanger inspection for cracks, burner cleaning, electrical testing, combustion analysis, and safety control verification. Service takes 90-120 minutes.

Our comprehensive maintenance visit takes 90-120 minutes and covers every component that affects safety, efficiency, and reliability. We start with visual inspection of the entire system, looking for rust, corrosion, or damage. Next is the heat exchanger inspection—the most critical safety check. Using mirrors and specialized cameras, we inspect for cracks that could leak carbon monoxide. We test all safety controls including high-limit switches, flame sensors, and pressure switches. Electrical connections are tightened and tested—loose connections cause 40% of furnace failures. Burners are cleaned and adjusted for proper combustion. The blower motor is lubricated and tested for proper amperage draw. We measure system airflow, check duct integrity, perform combustion analysis, and test for carbon monoxide throughout your home. Finally, we test the complete heating cycle and provide you with a detailed report of findings and recommendations.

Safety Inspections & What They Catch

Cracked heat exchangers can leak carbon monoxide into your home. Annual professional inspection using mirrors and cameras catches cracks before they become dangerous.

The safety inspection portion of maintenance has literally saved lives. Cracked heat exchangers are the #1 safety concern—these cracks allow deadly carbon monoxide to mix with your home's air supply. We catch these early using visual inspection, CO testing, and thermal imaging when available. Gas leaks at connections or valves are detected and repaired immediately. Improper venting causes backdrafting where combustion gases spill into your home—we verify proper draft and vent integrity. Failed safety controls like limit switches can cause overheating and fire risk. Dirty burners produce incomplete combustion and excess CO. All of these issues are preventable and detectable during annual maintenance. The modest cost of a tune-up is nothing compared to the potential tragedy of carbon monoxide poisoning or a house fire.

Filter Replacement Schedule & Types

Change filters monthly during heating season. Dirty filters cause 40% of furnace failures and can lead to cracked heat exchangers, frozen AC coils, and reduced efficiency.

Filter maintenance is the single most important thing homeowners can do between professional maintenance visits. Standard 1-inch fiberglass filters ($1-3) provide minimal filtration and should be changed monthly. Pleated 1-inch filters ($5-15) with MERV 8-11 ratings capture dust, pollen, and pet dander—change monthly during heating season. 4-inch or 5-inch media filters ($20-40) provide superior filtration and last 6-12 months. HEPA filters capture 99.97% of particles but require system modifications due to airflow restriction. In San Antonio's dusty environment, we see systems fail prematurely due to dirty filters causing restricted airflow, overheating, cracked heat exchangers, frozen AC coils in summer, and drastically reduced efficiency. Set a phone reminder to check filters monthly—it takes 2 minutes and can save thousands in repairs.

Efficiency Optimization Techniques

A well-maintained furnace operates at 80-98% efficiency. Neglect reduces this by 15-30%, wasting hundreds of dollars annually in energy costs.

A well-maintained furnace operates at 80-98% efficiency depending on the model (AFUE rating). Neglect reduces this by 15-30%, wasting hundreds of dollars annually. During maintenance, we optimize efficiency through combustion analysis—adjusting air/fuel mixture for complete combustion, cleaning burners to eliminate inefficient combustion, sealing duct leaks that waste 20-40% of heated air, calibrating thermostats to prevent short-cycling and temperature swings, lubricating motors to reduce friction and electrical consumption, and ensuring proper airflow which improves heat transfer. We also check insulation around ductwork in attics and crawlspaces—uninsulated ducts can lose 30% of heat before it reaches your rooms. These optimizations typically save $150-400 per year in energy costs.

Maintenance Plan Options & Pricing

Heating maintenance plans range from $149-279/year and include tune-ups, priority scheduling, and repair discounts. Most customers save more than the plan cost.

We offer flexible maintenance plans to fit different needs and budgets. Our Basic Plan ($149/year) includes one annual heating tune-up, priority scheduling, 10% discount on repairs, and free filter with service visit. Our Complete Plan ($279/year) includes one heating tune-up, one AC tune-up, priority scheduling, 15% discount on repairs, quarterly filter delivery, and extended warranty coverage. Our Commercial Plan (custom pricing) includes scheduled maintenance for all units, off-hours service availability, predictable annual budget, compliance documentation, and emergency priority response. Most homeowners choose the Complete Plan because it covers both heating and cooling—the combined savings on energy bills and avoided repairs typically exceeds the plan cost. Call (210) 501-9445 to discuss which plan is right for your home.

Best Time to Schedule Maintenance

Schedule heating maintenance in September-October before the first cold snap. Waiting until November risks discovering problems when every HVAC company is booked solid.

Fall (September-October) is the ideal time for heating maintenance in San Antonio. This timing ensures your system is ready before the first cold snap, avoids the rush when everyone calls during the first cold week, allows time for repairs before you need heat, and takes advantage of off-season pricing and availability. Waiting until November risks being without heat when problems are discovered and parts must be ordered. The worst time to discover your furnace doesn't work is at 2 AM on the coldest night of the year when every HVAC company is booked solid. Spring is acceptable for maintenance but less ideal—you're servicing after the heating season rather than before. If you have both heating and cooling, schedule heating maintenance in fall and AC maintenance in spring for year-round protection.

DIY Maintenance vs. Professional Service

Homeowners can change filters and check CO detectors, but professional maintenance requires combustion analyzers, gas pressure tools, and trained technicians to catch cracked heat exchangers.

Homeowners can handle some basic maintenance tasks: changing filters monthly, keeping outdoor vents clear of debris, ensuring adequate clearance around furnace (combustibles should be 3+ feet away), testing carbon monoxide detectors monthly, and visually checking for obvious issues like rust or leaks. However, professional maintenance requires specialized tools and training: combustion analyzers ($500-2000) to test efficiency, CO detectors calibrated for HVAC use, manometers to measure gas pressure, amp meters to test electrical draw, mirrors and inspection cameras for heat exchangers, and most importantly, the training to interpret results and identify developing problems. DIY maintenance can't catch cracked heat exchangers, improper combustion, failing capacitors, or subtle efficiency losses. Annual professional maintenance ($79-150) is a small investment for the safety, efficiency, and reliability it provides.

Cost Savings from Regular Maintenance

Regular maintenance saves $6,000-13,000 over a 15-year furnace lifespan through extended equipment life, lower energy costs, and prevented repairs.

The financial case for maintenance is overwhelming. Annual maintenance costs $79-150. Average furnace repairs cost $250-800. A premature furnace replacement costs $3,000-6,000. Regular maintenance extends system life by 5-10 years, saves 15-30% on heating costs ($100-300/year), prevents 80-95% of breakdowns, maintains manufacturer warranty validity (most require proof of maintenance), and avoids emergency service premiums (typically 50-100% surcharge). Over a 15-year furnace lifespan, maintenance costs about $2,000 total. Without maintenance, you'll likely pay $3,000-5,000 in repairs, waste $2,000-4,000 in excess energy costs, and replace the system 5 years early ($3,000-6,000). The total savings from maintenance: $6,000-13,000 over 15 years. The ROI is undeniable.